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Serie A round-up

Napoli kept up their pursuit of a place in next season's Champions League with a comfortable 2-0 home win against Novara.

By Adam Bate

Last Updated: 21/04/12 11:29pm

Edinson Cavani: On target as Napoli eased to a 2-0 win against struggling Novara

Napoli kept up their pursuit of a place in next season's Champions League with a comfortable 2-0 home win against Novara.

First-half goals from Edinson Cavani and Paolo Cannavaro killed the game as a contest before the interval and the visitors now find themselves facing near-certain relegation.

Novara are 11 points from safety with only five games remaining, while Walter Mazzarri's side sit just three points behind third-place Lazio, who are not playing until Sunday.

Udinese, however, missed the chance to pile the pressure on the Roman side as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Chievo.

A win would have put the Bianconeri into the automatic Champions League places overnight.

But Udinese - playing for the first time since the death of their midfielder Piermario Morosini, who had been out on loan at Livorno - were lucky to escape with a point after Cyril Thereau missed a first-half penalty for the home side.

Boost

Catania boosted their hopes of clinching Europa League football next season as they returned to winning ways with an impressive 2-0 victory over Atalanta.

Alejandro Gomez opened the scoring before Felipe Seymour made sure of the points five minutes from time to lift Vincenzo Montella's men to within four points of fifth-placed Roma.

Parma took a huge stride away from the Serie A relegation zone thanks to a 3-0 win at home to Cagliari.

A goal from the influential Sebastian Giovinco set the hosts on their way before second-half penalties from Sergio Floccari and Stefano Okaka sealed the victory.

The defeat leaves Cagliari just four points above the bottom three with five games remaining.